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Elevator operator salary
Average elevator operator salary
$36,944
Understanding Elevator Operator Salaries
The role of an elevator operator is crucial in maintaining the smooth functioning of vertical transportation systems. As of October 2025, the average salary for elevator operators stands at $36,944 annually. Factors influencing this salary include geographic location, years of experience, and industry type.
For instance, elevator operators in high-demand regions or those working in specialized environments may earn significantly more. The highest-paying states for elevator operators often include those with major urban centers, where the need for skilled professionals is greater.
Moreover, salary estimates indicate that operators with several years of experience can expect to see increased earnings. Investigating different job opportunities and understanding the salary landscape can empower prospective elevator operators to negotiate better pay and select positions that align with their career goals.
Career Growth and Opportunities
As you consider a career as an elevator operator, exploring local job listings and salary trends can provide valuable insights. This information not only helps in making informed decisions about your career path but also highlights the potential for growth within the industry.
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Where can an Elevator Operator earn more?
Elevator operator salary estimates from across the web
Average elevator operator salary by state
The average elevator operator salary in Minnesota, Wyoming, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average elevator operator salary states are Indiana, South Carolina, and Washington.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for elevator operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $46,192 | $22.21 |
| 2 | Idaho | $42,080 | $20.23 |
| 3 | Alaska | $43,436 | $20.88 |
| 4 | Wyoming | $44,543 | $21.41 |
| 5 | North Carolina | $42,061 | $20.22 |
| 6 | Iowa | $38,918 | $18.71 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $39,933 | $19.20 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $38,572 | $18.54 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $40,790 | $19.61 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $41,706 | $20.05 |
| 11 | Nevada | $37,837 | $18.19 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $38,883 | $18.69 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $37,189 | $17.88 |
| 14 | Illinois | $37,687 | $18.12 |
| 15 | Michigan | $38,554 | $18.54 |
| 16 | Montana | $37,595 | $18.07 |
| 17 | Massachusetts | $36,788 | $17.69 |
| 18 | Arkansas | $35,987 | $17.30 |
| 19 | New York | $38,941 | $18.72 |
| 20 | Texas | $36,648 | $17.62 |
| 21 | Delaware | $37,286 | $17.93 |
| 22 | Oklahoma | $36,311 | $17.46 |
| 23 | Utah | $37,974 | $18.26 |
| 24 | New Mexico | $37,443 | $18.00 |
| 25 | Alabama | $35,448 | $17.04 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $35,651 | $17.14 |
| 27 | Missouri | $35,915 | $17.27 |
| 28 | Oregon | $39,349 | $18.92 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $34,429 | $16.55 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $36,015 | $17.31 |
| 31 | District of Columbia | $36,664 | $17.63 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $36,818 | $17.70 |
| 33 | Kansas | $33,995 | $16.34 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $36,087 | $17.35 |
| 35 | Georgia | $35,211 | $16.93 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $34,930 | $16.79 |
| 37 | Ohio | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $34,870 | $16.76 |
| 39 | Connecticut | $37,652 | $18.10 |
| 40 | Maryland | $36,838 | $17.71 |
| 41 | Indiana | $33,638 | $16.17 |
| 42 | New Hampshire | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| 43 | California | $35,923 | $17.27 |
| 44 | Florida | $34,931 | $16.79 |
| 45 | Vermont | $36,038 | $17.33 |
| 46 | Colorado | $33,907 | $16.30 |
| 47 | Washington | $30,975 | $14.89 |
| 48 | Maine | $28,772 | $13.83 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $31,456 | $15.12 |
| 50 | Arizona | $30,093 | $14.47 |
| 51 | Virginia | $28,792 | $13.84 |
Highest paying cities for elevator operators
The highest-paying cities for elevator operators are Moorhead, MN, Morgantown, WV, and Asheville, NC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moorhead, MN | $46,906 | $22.55 |
| 2 | Morgantown, WV | $42,463 | $20.41 |
| 3 | Asheville, NC | $42,110 | $20.25 |
| 4 | Idaho Falls, ID | $41,561 | $19.98 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $39,913 | $19.19 |
| 6 | Mount Vernon, NY | $38,945 | $18.72 |
| 7 | Bettendorf, IA | $38,919 | $18.71 |
| 8 | Grand Rapids, MI | $38,558 | $18.54 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $37,805 | $18.18 |
| 10 | Jefferson City, MO | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| 11 | Morristown, TN | $35,581 | $17.11 |
| 12 | Portage, IN | $34,239 | $16.46 |
| 13 | Hutchinson, KS | $34,014 | $16.35 |
| 14 | Cincinnati, OH | $33,784 | $16.24 |
| 15 | Seattle, WA | $31,047 | $14.93 |
Elevator operator salary details
An elevator operator's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $52,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an elevator operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $52,000 | $4,333 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| Average | $36,944 | $3,079 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying elevator operator jobs
The highest paying types of elevator operators are crane operator, silo operator, and conveyor system dispatcher.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Crane Operator | $54,275 | $4,523 | $26.09 | 34,918 |
| Mill Operator | $39,045 | $3,254 | $18.77 | 64,574 |
| Loader Operator | $36,987 | $3,082 | $17.78 | 61,980 |
Top companies hiring elevator operators now:
Which companies pay elevator operators the most?
Elevator operator salaries at Bunge and Anheuser-Busch are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average elevator operator salary at companies like Cargill and Mennel Milling Co are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bunge | $41,040 | $19.73 |
| 2 | Anheuser-Busch | $40,071 | $19.26 |
| 3 | Cargill | $38,062 | $18.30 |
| 4 | Mennel Milling Co | $37,049 | $17.81 |
| 5 | Rockford Construction | $36,678 | $17.63 |
| 6 | ADM | $36,117 | $17.36 |
| 7 | Hoffman Construction | $35,256 | $16.95 |
| 8 | SunOpta | $35,141 | $16.89 |
| 9 | MFA Incorporated | $30,952 | $14.88 |
| 10 | United Center | $24,810 | $11.93 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Elevator operator salary trends
The average elevator operator salary has risen by $6,661 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average elevator operator earned $30,283 annually, but today, they earn $36,944 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for elevator operators over the last decade.
Compare elevator operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average elevator operator salary over time
Compare elevator operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Elevator operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36,900 | $17.76 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $35,800 | $17.21 | +4.8% |
| 2023 | $34,100 | $16.38 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $33,400 | $16.04 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $32,400 | $15.60 | -2.0% |
Recently added elevator operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ardent Mills | Elevator Operator I (2ND Shift) | Lake City, MN | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| United Grain Corporation | Elevator Operator 1 | Conrad, MT | 06/26/2025 | $33,392 |
| Space Needle | Seasonal Elevator Operator | Seattle, WA | 06/22/2025 | $49,587 |
| Cargill | Elevator Operator | WaKeeney, KS | 06/20/2025 | $38,610 |
| SDA Sacramento Downtown Arena | Elevator Operator | Sacramento, CA | 06/20/2025 | $39,653 |
| Sacramento Kings | Elevator Operator | Sacramento, CA | 06/19/2025 | $39,653 |
| Madison Square Garden, Inc. | Elevator Operator | New York, NY | 06/18/2025 | $53,970 |
| Bunge Ltd. | Relief Elevator Operator | Crete, NE | 06/12/2025 | $52,738 |
| Western Milling | Elevator Operator III-AR-VG | Helena-West Helena, AR | 06/10/2025 | $45,914 |
| Western Milling | Elevator Operator I-LA-Seasonal-VG | Winnsboro, LA | 06/10/2025 | $31,305 |
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